City based ultra rapid EV charging network launches in Europe

The forthcoming MEGA-E network will start with 322 ultra charger stations and 27 charging hubs, with 350kW available for drivers of future EVS. Currently no models on the market can accept these sorts of charging speeds, but there are cars confirmed for production that will be able to.

Where MEGA-E differs from IONITY is that it will create charging hubs based in towns and cities, rather than IONITY’s motorway-focused
brief.

Installations are due to start before the middle of 2018, with the initial roll-out including Great Britain – as well as Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, and Sweden.

Reports state that each of the 322 charging stations will provide four charge points, and where infrastructure allows, each site will have 1.4MW capacity. This will allow all four units to charge at maximum 350kW power at the same time.

The total number of chargers ultra chargers at these stations is set to be almost 1,300, with the charging hubs adding to that number further. These will feature a few ultra chargers, alongside a number of slower charge points for those that are able to park and charge for a longer amount of time.

Rami Syväri, VP of Fortum Charge & Drive, said: “We believe in an open infrastructure approach. This means that it is intended to welcome every citizen and different car models at our chargers.

“The idea is therefore also to combine multiple charging solutions to meet different needs and speeds. The MEGA-E charging network will be an important milestone for all EV-drivers and commuters in Europe.”

Anja van Niersen, CEO of Allego, said: “Around 70% of traffic in Europe takes place in urban areas, where the CO2 impact is the highest. With the charging network of MEGA-E we facilitate several forms of e-mobility and support emission free travelling not only within, but also from one metropole area to another.”

It’s good to see companies actually pushing ahead much faster than any of the UK charge networks, but why couldn’t they also be on or near motorways? It’s not like Ionity are going to be able to do it by themselves. They’re going to be sharing motorway services space with ecotricity and Tesla anyway.

And I generally hate driving in cities so I’m probably not going to go out of my way to use these ones. Unless there are going to be some around the perimeter of the urban areas.